Re: A Combination Cardiology and Psychology Doctor?

> A 71-year-old male I know had heart surgery> (a balloon angioplasty and stent). Afterwards,> he changed his diet and increased his exercise, > and now does the equivalent of climbing stairs of> 10 or 20 story buildings, although his aorta is > still enlarged and there is still a small block > somewhere. After the heart surgery, he was put > on some drug to lower cholesterol, which worked, > and on atenolol, a beta blocker. He was also > taking Wellbutrin (not SR) for depression, without> reported side-effects, since well before the heart > surgery. Other members of same family have also > been diagnosed with depression and have responded > well to medication.> > Some of us who read drbob's web-site know beta> blockers can cause depression for those with a> history. Patient is pessimistic and tired. > Patient also suffers from interrupted sleep > apparently due to repeated need to use the > bathroom at night. Told this is normal aging.> > He is also dealing with situational issues on > what to do with his time if he retires, and > that the job is no longer fun. He feels his > emotions are situational rather than the results > of internal chemistry, but according to the> personal story on drbob's one cannot always tell> from inside. Also, according to the discussion > on drbob's, atenolol is one of the less > bad beta blockers for causing depression, > which implies that the patient may well be correct > in his belief. > > Both psychologist and cardiologist have been asked> about the situation. The cardiologist seems to view> that emotional health is not his department, and> that the state of the cardiac system suggests beta> blockers still advisable. The psychologist seems > to view that the cardiac medications are not his > department but that one could increase the dosage > of Wellbutrin. (This psychologist does not trust > Wellbutrin SR.)> > How would one go about finding an M.D. in the> Northeastern U.S., with expertise BOTH in cardiology> and in depression? Are there any groups of doctors> that work together on this combination? Would an > external (more integrated) opinion on this > case be useful? How would one find it?> > Thanks.